Vapor explosion and shock wave generating device, motor, and turbine device

ABSTRACT

Provided is a device which can reliably generate a vapor explosion. A device which can reliably generate a vapor explosion and shock waves is proposed. This device is provided as an experimental means for research and development of a vapor explosion and shock waves, and paves the way for applications to motors or turbines. A high-temperature liquid ( 0102 ) including a molten metal is retained in the inside of a liquid retention container ( 0101 ). Heating devices ( 0103 ) to maintain the high-temperature liquid at a high temperature are provided around the liquid retention container. An inlet ( 0104 ) through which water is intermittently charged is provided in the bottom portion of the liquid retention container, and a pressure-proof valve ( 0105 ) is provided in the inlet so as to close the inlet. The pressure-proof valve closes the inlet using a force of a spring ( 0106 ). However, when the pressure-proof valve is moved upwardly by a timing cam ( 0107 ), water is intermittently charged through a clearance between the valve and the inlet. When the water is intermittently charged to the bottom portion-side high-temperature liquid, an vapor explosion and shock waves occur.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a basic technology of a vapor explosionand shock wave generating device, and motor and turbine device that aredriven by simultaneously utilizing vapor explosion energy and shock waveenergy generated by the vapor explosion and shock wave generatingdevice.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is known that when water is rapidly heated up to an extremelyhigh-temperature of about 370 degrees C. under certain conditions, anexplosion occurs. In general, the explosion is called a ‘vaporexplosion’, and for example, is caused when water comes into contactwith molten metal at an extremely high temperature, when water and magmacome into contact, or in the contact between heated frying oil andwater.

Although there are some reports on vapor explosions, much remainsunknown on the subject. However, considering the coefficient of volumeexpansion due to vaporization of water, it is inferable that theexplosion caused upon the vaporization of a large amount of watergenerates an extreme amount of energy.

There have been attempts to utilize energy of the vapor explosion forpower etc. In Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-106916, water issprayed in a room at high-temperature by vacuum discharge, therebycausing a vapor explosion. In Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. H11-229965, water is sprayed into a combustion chamberheated by electromagnetic induction by energizing a high-frequencycurrent.

Cited References

Patent Reference 1: Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-106916

Patent Reference 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application PublicationNo. H11-229965

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Problems that the Invention Triesto Solve

The inventor of the present invention performed some experiments to tryto discover the mechanism of the vapor explosion. At the outset, theinventor put drops of water on a surface of metal heated up to a hightemperature. The water drops just vaporized on the metal surface and avapor explosion never occurred irrespective of how high the temperaturewas or the amount of water used. This result was unchanged when thetemperature of the metal exceeded its melting point, thereby melting themetal (First experiment).

Next, the inventor submerged the molten metal at high temperature inwater. As a result, a vapor explosion occurred around the molten metal(second experiment).

Further, the inventor put drops of water on heated frying oil. While thewater drops stayed on the surface of the heated oil, similar to the caseof metal, they just vaporized. However, the specific weight of water ishigher than oil. When the amount of the drops of water was large, thewater drops sank under the oil before all of them vaporized. The waterdrop always caused an explosion with noise when the temperature of theoil was high enough. The inventor found that the vapor explosionoccurred when the temperature of the oil was higher than 300 degrees C.,and that a more intense vapor explosion occurred when the temperature ofthe oil was higher than 350 degrees C. (third experiment).

The first experiment showed that the drops of water on the surface ofthe substance at high temperature does not cause the vapor explosioneven when the temperature of the substance is raised up to extremelyhigh temperature. The reason is that even when water contacts with thehigh-temperature substance, the temperature of the water never risesabove its boiling point, of nearly 100 degrees C. since the watervaporizes at 100 degrees C. under normal pressure, so that the waternever becomes a high temperature(exceeding 100 degrees C.), a factor forcausing the vapor explosion. However, in the case where thehigh-temperature substance sank under water (second experiment), or inthe case where a small amount of water was intermittently injected intothe high-temperature liquid (third experiment), the vapor explosionoccurred even when the temperature was not extremely high. The commonfactor of the second and third experiments was that an area where thevapor explosion occurred was sealed with liquid. Here, the terms ‘sealedwith’ just means ‘entirely enclosed by˜and there no space for escapethrough the external air’. In the second experiment, the explosion areawas enclosed by metal or water as liquid. In the third experiment, whenwater sank under oil, the explosion portion was enclosed by oil asliquid. Under such a hermetically-sealed state, in contact between twoheterogeneous liquids having a large difference in temperature, heattransfer from the high-temperature liquid to a low-temperature liquidoccurs, so that water is rapidly heated above nearly 100 degrees C. andup to the same temperature level of the high-temperature liquid.Although the mechanism of this process is not clear enough, theexperiments show that the phenomenon of rising the temperature of waterfar higher than 100 degrees C. instantaneously causes rapid and intensevapor expansion, thereby causing the vapor explosion with high pressure.Moreover, it is found that the shock wave due to the instantaneous vaporexplosion increases the pressure and expansion rate of the explosionfluid.

Meanwhile, in the first experiment, water was surrounded by the externalair and was not enclosed by liquid, so that the vapor explosion did notoccur.

In the energy generating device of Japanese Patent Application No.2000-106916, water is sprayed in a vaporizing chamber heated in a vacuumat a high-temperature, thereby causing a vapor explosion. However, thefirst experiment showed that the vapor explosion does not occur just byspraying water on a high-temperature substance irrespective of the hightemperature. In this device, the vaporizing chamber in a vacuum is madefor acquiring a high-temperature by discharge. However, it is assumedthat in a vacuum, water vaporizes before causing the vapor explosion, sothat it is impossible for this device to cause the vapor explosion.

In the jet engine of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application PublicationNo. H11-229965, although there is not enough disclosure about themechanism of the vapor explosion to draw a conclusion, similar to thefirst experiment, the vapor explosion does not occur just by heating upto high temperature in a combustion chamber.

Means for Solving the Problems

The inventor of the present invention provided an on-off valve at thebottom portion of the container for storing the liquid maintained at 300degrees C. or higher, and carried out intermittent injection of waterfrom the on-off valve into the high-temperature liquid, so as to producea ‘hermetically-sealed state by liquid’ and succeeded in causing a vaporexplosion. Although an explanation of a principal is omitted, a shockwave, occurring simultaneously with the vapor explosion, increases thepressure and expansion rate of the explosion fluid, so that it becomespossible to utilize energy of the high-pressure explosion fluid with ashock wave generated by the vapor explosion as power for an engine andturbine.

A first invention described in Claim 1 relates to a vapor explosion andshock wave generating device, comprising a vapor explosion chamber,comprising a liquid storage container for storing high-temperatureliquid at 300 degrees C. or higher, and an inlet for intermittentlyinjecting water into the liquid storage container from a bottom portionof the high-temperature liquid, a heater for maintaining thehigh-temperature liquid at 300 degrees C. or higher, and an inlet valveunit for controlling the water injection at the inlet.

The first invention relates to the device for generating a vaporexplosion and shock wave, and is an essential invention.

A second invention described in Claim 1 relates to A motor, comprisingthe vapor explosion and shock wave generating device according to Claim1, a piston that is driven by utilizing vapor explosion energy and shockwave simultaneously generated by the vapor explosion and shock wavegenerating device, and a converter unit for converting the piston motioninto a rotating motion.

The second to sixth inventions relate to the motor utilizing the vaporexplosion energy and shock wave simultaneously generated by the vaporexplosion and shock wave generating device of the first invention as apower source, and the second invention is the most essential inventionamong them.

A third invention described in Claim 3 relates to the motor according toClaim 2, further comprising a return path for holding explosion fluid,mixture of vapor and the high-temperature liquid after the up-stroke ofthe piston.

A fourth invention described in Claim 4 relates to the motor accordingto Claim 3, further comprising a vapor exhaust for exhausting vaporseparated from the explosion fluid inflowing the return path.

A fifth invention described in Claim 5 relates to the motor according toClaim 4, further comprising a return pump for returning thehigh-temperature liquid separated from the explosion fluid inflowing thereturn path into the explosion chamber, the return pump being located ina lower portion of the return path.

A sixth invention described in Claim 6 relates to the motor according toClaim 5, wherein the piston comprises a piston valve that opens at topdead center upon colliding with an upper obstructing protrusion providedin a cylinder and closes at bottom dead center upon colliding with alower obstructing protrusion provided in the cylinder or the liquidstorage container.

A seventh invention described in Claim 7 relates to a turbine device,comprising the vapor explosion and shock wave generating deviceaccording to Claim 1 and a turbine that is driven by utilizing vaporexplosion energy and shock wave simultaneously generated by the vaporexplosion and shock wave generating device.

The seventh to ninth inventions relate to a turbine device utilizing thevapor explosion energy and shock wave simultaneously generated by thevapor explosion and shock wave generating device of the first inventionas a power source, and the seventh invention is the most essentialinvention among them.

An eighth invention described in Claim 8 relates to the turbine deviceaccording to Claim 7, comprising the plurality of the vapor explosionand shock wave generating devices, and a controller for controllingtiming of intermittently injecting water by the inlet valve unit of eachvapor explosion and shock wave generating device.

A ninth invention described in Claim 9 relates to the turbine deviceaccording to Claim 8, comprising a pool for circulating ahigh-temperature liquid for collecting the spattered high-temperatureliquid, the pool being provided around the vapor explosion and shockwave generating device, wherein the vapor explosion and shock wavegenerating device comprises a inlet valve unit for inletting thehigh-temperature liquid from the pool for circulating high-temperatureliquid.

Effects of the Invention

The present invention relates to the device capable of constantlygenerating a vapor explosion with shock wave, whose mechanism has notbeen perfectly clarified. This provides experimental method for researchand development utilizing the vapor explosion and shock wave, andutilization thereof for the motor and turbine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing mechanism and function of a pressure-proofvalve of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another inlet valve unit capable ofpreventing backflow of high-temperature liquid into an inlet due toexplosion pressure upon vapor explosion.

FIG. 4 is a structure diagram of a motor of a second embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a structure diagram of a piston and a piston valve.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the moment when the vapor explosion occurredimmediately after intermittently injecting water from the inlet.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing that the explosion fluid with shock wavegenerated due to the vapor explosion is pushing up the piston in acylinder.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the moment when the piston reached to a topdead center on after being pushed up by an explosion fluid.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing that a return pump, provided in a lowerportion of a return path, is injecting the high-temperature liquid inthe return path into a liquid storage container.

FIG. 10 is a perspective diagram of a turbine device of a thirdembodiment.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional diagram of the turbine device of the thirdembodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing action of an inlet valve unit for ahigh-temperature liquid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Note that the first embodiment will mainly describe Claim 1. Moreover,the second embodiment will mainly describe Claims 2 to 6. The thirdembodiment will mainly describe Claims 7 to 9. The present invention isnot to be limited to the above embodiments and able to be embodied invarious forms without departing from the scope thereof.

First Embodiment

<Concept of First Embodiment>

A first embodiment relates to a vapor explosion and shock wavegenerating device of a first invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the first embodiment of the presentinvention. A high-temperature liquid (0102) including a molten metal isretained in the inside of a liquid retention container (0101). Heatingdevices (0103) to maintain the high-temperature liquid at a hightemperature are provided around the liquid retention container. An inlet(0104) through which water is intermittently charged is provided in thebottom portion of the liquid retention container, and a pressure-proofvalve (0105) is provided in the inlet so as to close the inlet. Thepressure-proof valve closes the inlet using the force of a spring(0106). However, when the pressure-proof valve is moved upwardly by atiming cam (0107), water is intermittently charged through a clearancebetween the valve and the inlet. When the water is intermittentlycharged to the bottom portion-side high-temperature liquid, a vaporexplosion and shock waves occur.

In the upper portion of the vapor explosion and shock wave generatingdevice, a cover 0108 for receiving mixture of the spatteredhigh-temperature liquid and the vapor (hereinafter referred to as‘explosion fluid’) is provided, and an exhaust 0108 for exhausting onlythe vapor upward is provided. The mixture of the spatteredhigh-temperature liquid due to the vapor explosion and shock wave isreceived by the cover, flows downward, and is reused; meanwhile, thevapor is exhausted from the vapor exhaust.

In the liquid storage container, a thermometer 0110 for monitoringtemperature of the high-temperature liquid inside is provided.

<Description of Components of First Embodiment>

The vapor explosion and shock wave generating device of the firstembodiment comprises the vapor explosion chamber, the heater, and theinlet valve unit. The vapor explosion chamber comprises the liquidstorage container and the inlet. Descriptions thereof will be provided,hereinafter.

The ‘liquid storage container’ is for ‘storing high-temperature liquidat 300 degrees C. or higher’. Since the liquid storage container is forstoring high-temperature liquid, it is required to have good heatresistant properties. Note that the vapor explosion occurs at 300-400degrees C. of high-temperature liquid, general material such as iron isenough for use except when using a higher-temperature liquid. Next, theliquid storage container is required to have strength resistant topressure or shock wave caused by the vapor explosion. It is assumed thatthe pressure upon the vapor explosion reaches to several hundredatmospheric pressure, so that the liquid storage container is requiredto be made of material and have a mechanism for being resistant to suchrapidly occurring pressure. Moreover, when attaching the heater to theoutside of the liquid storage container, since heat from the heater isused for heating the liquid inside by heat conduction through the liquidstorage container, a material having high heat conductivity ispreferable.

It is preferable to use metal, whose melting point is below 300 degreesC., for the ‘high-temperature liquid’, but metal, whose melting point isabove 300 degrees C., may be used. Examples of the metal, whose meltingpoint is above 300 degrees C., include tin, bismuth, polonium, and alow-melting-point alloy. Among them, tin has a low melting point, 232degrees C., and is easily available, so that it is mainly used for thevapor explosion and shock waves generating device of the presentinvention. It is found in the experiment that the vapor explosion withshock wave occurs when using bismuth. Polonium is radioactive materialand it is difficult to handle. It is easily assumed that there is noproblem to use metal, whose melting point is above 300 degrees C., basedon refinery accident reports etc. Note that, in such cases, specialconsideration on the strength and heat-resistant properties of theliquid storage container and the inlet valve unit is required.

The high-temperature liquid may be oil. Note that, in the case of oil,it is required to select oil having a high ignition point because of therisk of firing. Since there is a problem of vaporization anddeterioration of high-temperature oil, oil is more difficult to use thaniron.

The ‘inlet’ is for ‘intermittently injecting water into the liquidstorage container from a bottom portion of the high-temperature liquid’,and is provided in the bottom portion of the liquid storage container.The term ‘bottom portion’ means a portion of the liquid storagecontainer, which is filled with a high-temperature liquid, and anyportion is suitable as long as it is filled with enough liquid to makethe hermetically-sealed state by liquid for causing the vapor explosion.However, the portion near the surface of the high-temperature liquid isnot preferable for making the hermetically-sealed state.

It is important to determine the diameter of the inlet forintermittently injecting the appropriate amount of water in order tocause the vapor explosion. In the vapor explosion and shock wavegenerating device of the first embodiment, the diameter thereof is 5 mm.Note that, the diameter of the inlet is relatively determined dependingon relationships between type, amount, temperature of high-temperatureliquid, open time of the pressure-proof valve, and water pressure ofwater inletted etc, and there is no specific size. It is required tomake a shape of the inlet, such that there are no leaks of thehigh-temperature liquid upon contacting with a head of thepressure-proof valve when the pressure-proof valve of the inlet valveunit closes upon the vapor explosion. In the vapor explosion and shockwave generating device of the first embodiment, the inlet is a conicalshape. Therefore, the shape is like a screw hole to fit in exactly witha flat screw head. Note that any shape, which is enough for preventingthe leaks of the high-temperature liquid, may be used.

The ‘vapor explosion chamber’ comprises the liquid storage container andthe inlet, and it is preferable to provide a cover for receiving theexplosion fluid with shock wave generated by the vapor explosion, and anexhaust for exhausting vapor. Additionally, it is preferable to providea thermometer for monitoring temperature of the high-temperature liquidin the liquid storage container.

The ‘heater’ is for ‘maintaining the high-temperature liquid at 300degrees C. or higher’. As an example of the heater, heating wire woundon the outside of the liquid storage container is assumed. Moreover, aplurality of tubes, in which heating wires pass through, and whichpenetrate through the liquid storage container, thereby improvingthermal conductivity, are assumed. It is omitted in FIG. 1, in the vaporexplosion and shock wave generating device of the first embodiment, theheater is wrapped by heat insulating material for improving thermalconductivity.

Examples of heating method for the high-temperature liquid includeelectrothermal heating, heating by combustion, and heating by focusingthe sunlight using linear Fresnel lens etc., may be selected accordingto purpose.

As heating method, directly heating the vapor explosion chamber,cylinder, and return pump etc. of the present invention may be used, ora method, wherein the heater is provided on the position far from thevapor explosion chamber, the vapor explosion chamber and the heater areconnected through a liquid path comprising a heat-retention pipe, andheated high-temperature liquid is circulated in the liquid storagecontainer, which needs the high-temperature liquid, may be used.

It is important to determine the temperature of the high-temperatureliquid since it has an effect on success and scale of the vaporexplosion and shock wave. When using tin as the high-temperature liquid,a small-scale explosion occurred at about 300 degrees C., and an intenseexplosion occurred at about 350-370 degrees C. In Japanese PatentApplication No. 2000-106916, the temperature of the heating chamber isset to about 300 degrees C. for causing the vapor explosion. However, asdescribed above, the vapor explosion can occur below such hightemperatures.

The ‘inlet valve unit’ is for ‘controlling the water injection at theinlet’. As shown in FIG. 1, a tube is connected to the inlet, and apredetermined water pressure is placed on the water. The inlet valveunit controls timing and amount of water injection upon theintermittently-injecting water by opening or closing the valve. Thefunctionally important point of the inlet valve unit is injectingappropriate amount of water for vapor explosion, and is closing thevalve immediately after the vapor explosion to shut off water injectionand preventing the high-temperature liquid from flowing into the inlet.

As a method for controlling the amount of water injection, first, waterpressure of the water supplied to the inlet is controlled. As anadjustment method for the amount of water by the inlet valve unit,first, fine adjustment of height upon lifting the valve, and second,adjustment of time length of lifting the valve. These can be carried outby changing the shape of the timing cam, or by providing a method foradjustment of the gap between the timing cam and the pressure-proofvalve. When controlling the pressure-proof valve not by timing cam butby electromagnetic method, the control is carried out by a computer.

It is very important to close the valve immediately after the vaporexplosion to prevent the high-temperature liquid from flowing into theinlet. When the high-temperature liquid is molten metal, there is apossibility that the molten metal flows into the inlet and is cooled,thereby causing fixation to the inlet and malfunction of the valve. Whenthe vapor explosion occurs, inside pressure of the liquid storagecontainer instantaneously rises, and it is necessary to close the valvethen. In vapor explosion and shock wave generating device of the firstembodiment, the valve is closed by utilizing pressure caused by thevapor explosion.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing mechanism and function of a pressure-proofvalve of the first embodiment of the present invention. An inlet shaft0201 and a timing cam shaft 0202 are connected to the pressure-proofvalve and are slightly stretchable in an axial direction, and arenormally fixed in a state of being stretched by a spring 0203. In FIG.2(A), the pressure-proof valve 0204 is pushed up by a timing cam 0205,and small amount of water 0207 is intermittently injected into thehigh-temperature liquid 0208 from a inlet 0206. In FIG. 2(B), water andthe high-temperature liquid are in contact with each other, therebycausing the vapor explosion 0209, so that the inlet shaft 0201 of thepressure-proof valve is pushed down by pressure 0210. Here, the timingcam shaft 0202 is still pushed up by the timing cam and cannot godownward. In FIG. 2(C), the timing cam further rotates and goes off thebottom portion of the timing cam shaft, and both inlet shaft and timingcam shaft stay down.

As described above, the pressure-proof valve of the first embodimentcloses the valve immediately after occurrence of the vapor explosion,thereby preventing the high-temperature liquid from flowing into theinlet.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another inlet valve unit capable ofpreventing from backflow of high-temperature liquid into an inlet due toexplosion pressure upon vapor explosion. Here, a head of apressure-proof valve 0301 is formed to have a conical and protrudingshape, and an inlet 0302 is formed to have a conical shape protrudingtoward the liquid storage container. In order to prevent backflow ofhigh-temperature liquid into an inlet due to explosion pressure uponvapor explosion, the water pressure inside a water reservoir 0303 ismaintained to be higher than the pressure of the vapor explosion by ahigh-pressure injection pump 0304. The pressure-proof valve is pusheddown by a timing cam 0305 and opens, and even if the vapor explosionoccurs simultaneously with the injection of water, the backflow neveroccurs due to pressure difference. Note that, the amount of waterinjection can be controlled by the fine adjustment of diameter of theinlet and by the adjustment of opening time of the valveinstantaneously.

It is preferable to use anoxic water, where oxygen in the water isremoved through sufficient boiling, in order to prevent oxidation of thehigh-temperature liquid. Moreover, it is preferable that watertemperature is maintained to be temperature just under the boiling pointin order to decrease temperature loss of the high-temperature liquid.

Second Embodiment

<Concept of Second Embodiment>

A second embodiment relates to a motor device driven by utilizing vaporexplosion energy and shock wave simultaneously generated by the vaporexplosion and shock wave generating device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a structure diagram of a motor of a second embodiment of thepresent invention. The motor of the second embodiment comprises a vaporexplosion and shock wave generating device 0401. A cylinder 0402 isprovided in the upper portion of the vapor explosion and shock wavegenerating device, and a piston 0403 is housed in the cylinder in astate where the piston can move up and down. The piston comprises apiston body 0404 and a piston valve 0405 provided in the piston. A shaftin the upper portion of the piston body is protruding through a hole onthe top portion of the cylinder, and reciprocating motion of the pistonis converted into rotary motion by a converter unit 0408 comprising acon rod 0406 and a crank shaft 0407, which are connected to the shaft.An exhaust for explosion fluid 0409 for exhausting mixture of vapor andthe high-temperature liquid, generated by the vapor explosion, tooutside the cylinder is provided in the upper portion of the cylinder.The explosion fluid exhausted from the exhaust for explosion fluid tooutside the cylinder flows to a return path 0410, in that process, thehigh-temperature liquid having heavy specific weight goes to the lowerportion of the return path, and the vapor having light specific weightgoes to a vapor exhaust 0411 connected to the upper portion of thereturn path, thereby separating the explosion fluid into thehigh-temperature liquid and the vapor. The lower portion of the returnpath has a shape of cylinder, and houses a return pump 0412. Thehigh-temperature liquid in the liquid storage container is mixed withthe vapor and is exhausted from the exhaust for explosion fluid tooutside as the explosion fluid, so that there is always a deficit of thehigh-temperature liquid necessary for a subsequent explosion. The returnpump performs synchronized motion with the piston by power acquiredthrough the converter unit, and forcibly returns necessary amount of thehigh-temperature liquid to the liquid storage container. A backflowvalve 0413 is provided in the connection between the return path and theliquid storage container, thereby preventing the high-temperature liquidfrom its backflow into the return path upon the vapor explosion. Athermometer 0414 is placed to the cylinder and around the return pathother than the vapor explosion and shock wave generating device.

<Description of Components of Second Embodiment>

The motor of the second invention comprises a vapor explosion and shockwave generating device, a piston, and a converter unit.

The ‘vapor explosion and shock wave generating device’ is the vaporexplosion and shock wave generating device of the first invention.

The ‘piston’ is ‘driven by utilizing vapor explosion energy and shockwave simultaneously generated by the vapor explosion and shock wavegenerating device’. Therefore, the piston is pushed up inside thecylinder by high pressure in the liquid storage container caused by thevapor explosion and shock wave, and acquires power. Normally, the pistonhas a cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

The ‘converter unit’ is for ‘converting piston motion into rotationmotion’. Normally, a crank pin of a crank arm connected to thecrankshaft and the piston are connected by the con rod.

The motor of the third invention is the same as that of the secondinvention, and further comprises a return path.

The ‘return path’ is for ‘holding explosion fluid, mixture of vapor andthe high-temperature liquid after the upstroke of the piston’. Asdescribed above, the return path separates the explosion fluid into thehigh-temperature liquid and the vapor. This separation is automaticallycarried out in the return path due to the difference in specific weightbetween the vapor and the high-temperature liquid. Therefore, thehigh-temperature liquid having heavy specific weight goes to the lowerportion of the return path, and the vapor having light specific weightgoes to the upper portion of the return path.

The lower portion of the return path is connected to the liquid storagecontainer to return the high-temperature liquid. The backflow valve isprovided in the connection, thereby preventing the high-temperatureliquid from its backflow into the return path upon the vapor explosion.

It is preferable to place the heater device around the return path. Thereason is that the high-temperature liquid in the return path isreturned to inside the vapor explosion and shock wave generating device,and is reused for causing the vapor explosion.

The motor of the fourth invention is the same as that of the thirdinvention, and further comprises a vapor exhaust.

The ‘vapor exhaust’ is for ‘exhausting vapor separated from theexplosion fluid inflowing the return path’. The vapor exhaust isconnected to the upper portion of the return path, and exhausts vaporseparated from the explosion fluid in the return path.

The motor of the fifth invention is the same as that of the fourthinvention, and further comprises a return pump.

The ‘return pump’ is for ‘returning the high-temperature liquidseparated from the explosion fluid inflowing the return path into theexplosion chamber’. The return pump is housed in the cylinder in thelower portion of the return path. The return pump performs synchronizedmotion with the piston by power acquired through the converter unit, andforcibly returns the necessary amount of the high-temperature liquid tothe liquid storage container. The return pump should send thehigh-temperature liquid into the liquid storage container upon downwardmotion and should not pull the high-temperature liquid back upon upwardmotion. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 4, the return pump of thesecond embodiment has the valve for implementing the above function.

The spherical valve in the return pump is made of light metal(aluminum), and floatable in the high-temperature liquid (when usingmolten metal such as tin or bismuth) due to difference in specificweight. This functions preferably for this embodiment. Moreover, a valveusing heat-proof spring may be used.

The motor of the sixth invention is the same as that of the fifthinvention, wherein ‘the piston comprises a piston valve that opens attop dead center upon colliding with an upper obstructing protrusionprovided in a cylinder and closes at bottom dead center upon collidingwith a lower obstructing protrusion provided in the cylinder or theliquid storage container’.

The ‘top dead center’ is the highest point, to which the piston, movingup and down, can move, and the ‘bottom dead center’ is the lowest pointto which the piston can move. Return to FIG. 4, the upper obstructingprotrusion 0415 is a protrusion placed on the top portion of thecylinder, and has a function of opening the piston valve by pushing downthe piston valve in the piston body through the hole on the top portionof the cylinder when the piston reaches near to the top dead center. Thelower obstructing protrusion 0416 is a protrusion placed on the bottomportion of the cylinder, and has a function of closing the piston valveby pushing up the piston valve when the piston reaches near to thebottom dead center.

FIG. 5 is a structure diagram of the piston and the piston valve. Thepiston comprises a piston body 0501, and a piston valve 0502. FIG. 5(2)is one of cross-sectional diagrams of the piston cut by some lines asshown in FIG. 5(1). FIG. 5(1) shows the piston valve in a closing state,and FIG. 5(3) shows the piston valve in an opening state.

In a cross-sectional diagram along the line (a)-(a′), only the pistonbody is shown. In this section, a hole 0503, through which the upperobstructing protrusion placed in the cylinder can smoothly pass, isshown (black portion in FIG. 5). In a cross-sectional diagram along theline (b)-(b′), the piston body and the piston are shown. In this sectionof the piston body, a ‘hole’ 0504, through which the explosion fluidgenerated in the explosion chamber by the vapor explosion and shock wavepasses, is shown. In a cross-sectional diagram along the line (c)-(c′),the piston body and the piston valve are shown. In this section of thepiston body, the ‘hole’ 0504, through which the explosion fluid passes,is shown. Moreover, in this section, there is a gap between the pistonbody and the piston valve. When this gap is too large, the degree offreedom of the piston valve upon opening in a horizontal direction inFIG. 5 becomes excessive, thereby causing instability in balance of thepiston valve and the piston body. Meanwhile, when this gap is too small,the open/close action of the valve by up and down motion of the pistonvalve cannot be smoothly performed. Therefore, it is preferable toappropriately design this gap considering the above points. In across-sectional diagram along the line (d)-(d′), the piston body and thepiston valve are shown. In this section, there is a large gap betweenthe piston body and the piston valve (black portion in FIG. 5).Moreover, in this section of the piston body, the ‘hole’ 0504, throughwhich the explosion fluid passes, is shown. In a cross-sectional diagramalong the line (e)-(e′), the piston body and the piston valve are shown.In this section, the piston body and the piston valve are configured,such that they closely contact with each other without gap. Moreover, inFIG. 5(3), the piston valve performs closing of the valve by placingupward power on the portion having wide area in the section.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9, detailed description of theprocess of converting the vapor explosion energy and shock wavesimultaneously generated into rotary motion by the motor of the secondembodiment is provided. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the moment when thevapor explosion occurred immediately after intermittently injectingwater from the inlet. Here, a piston 0601 stays at the bottom deadcenter in a cylinder 0602. A piston valve 0603 in the piston issustained by a lower obstructing protrusion 0604 and closes. Here, asdescribed above, the pressure-proof valve is still pushed upward by thetiming cam, and simultaneously, is pushed downward by pressure of thevapor explosion, so that it is in a closing state by the action of thespring provided inside.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing that the explosion fluid with shock wavegenerated due to the vapor explosion is pushing up the piston in acylinder. The arrow on the right side of the cylinder indicatesdirection that the piston moves. Here, the piston valve in the piston ispushed upward by pressure of the explosion fluid, and remains in aclosing state after losing the sustaining by the lower obstructingprotrusion. Meanwhile, a backflow valve 0701 is pushed by pressure ofthe explosion fluid, thereby preventing the high-temperature liquid frombackflow into the return path. A pressure-proof valve 0702 is in aclosing state without the sustaining by the timing cam.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the moment when the piston pushed up by theexplosion fluid reached to a top dead center. Here, the piston valve0802 in the piston is pushed downward by an upper obstructing protrusion0803, and in an opening state. From the opened piston valve, theexplosion fluid, mixture of the high-temperature liquid and the vapor,flows into a return path 0805 through an exhaust for explosion fluid0804. Since the piston valve is released, pressure in the liquid storagecontainer rapidly drops, and the backflow valve is also released.Meanwhile, the pressure-proof valve still closes by action of a spring0806. As to the explosion fluid flowing into the return path, thehigh-temperature liquid having heavy specific weight goes to the lowerportion of the return path, and the vapor having light specific weightgoes to the upper portion of the return path and is exhausted from thevapor exhaust, thereby being separated into the high-temperature liquidand the vapor.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing that a return pump, provided in a lowerportion of a return path, is injecting the high-temperature liquid inthe return path into a liquid storage container. As a result of thevapor explosion, a portion of the high-temperature liquid flows outsideof the liquid storage container. Accordingly, it is necessary to supplythe high-temperature liquid with the liquid storage container forpreparing the next vapor explosion. In FIG. 9, the arrow on the leftside of the return pump indicates direction that the return pump moves.Here, a valve 0902 in the return pump closes by the pressure of thehigh-temperature liquid. A backflow valve 0903 provided in theconnection between the return path and the liquid storage container isreleased. By the return pump, the high-temperature liquid in the lowerportion of the return path is sent into the liquid storage container,and the high-temperature liquid is supplied with the liquid storagecontainer. While the return pump presses the high-temperature liquidinto the liquid storage container, the piston moves from the top deadcenter to the bottom dead center. The arrow on the right side of thecylinder indicates direction that the piston moves. A piston valve 0904in the piston is released, so that the explosion fluid is exhausted tothe return path through the piston. After this, process returns to FIG.6, and same process is repeated.

Third Embodiment

<Concept of Third Embodiment>

A third embodiment relates to a turbine device driven by utilizing vaporexplosion energy and shock wave simultaneously generated by the vaporexplosion and shock wave generating device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective diagram of a turbine device of the thirdembodiment. FIG. 10 includes sectional diagram for easy understanding ofinternal parts. The turbine device of the third embodiment comprises avapor explosion chamber 1001, and rotation blade 1002 is placed thereon.An axis of the rotation blade is fixed to a rotation axis 1003, and therotation blade is mounted on the top portion of the turbine body 1004 ina rotatable state. A net cover for explosion fluid 1005 is placed on therotation blade. An exhaust 1006 is connected to the upper portion of theturbine. The lower portion of the turbine forms a pool for circulatinghigh-temperature liquid 1007. An inlet valve for high-temperature liquid1008 is placed in the wall between the vapor explosion chamber and thepool for circulating high-temperature liquid. A heater 1009 is placedaround the vapor explosion chamber and the pool for circulatinghigh-temperature liquid.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional diagram of the turbine device of the thirdembodiment. The turbine device of the third embodiment comprises a vaporexplosion and shock wave generating device comprising a vapor explosionchamber 1100, a heater 1103, and an inlet valve unit 1104. The vaporexplosion chamber 1100 comprises a liquid storage container 1101 and aninlet 1102. The turbine device of the third embodiment comprises aplurality of such vapor explosion and shock wave generating devices.Each vapor explosion chamber stores high-temperature liquid 1105, andthe inlet valve unit, provided in the inlet of the bottom portion of theliquid storage container, opens the pressure-proof valve, so thatappropriate amount of water is intermittently injected to the bottomportion of the high-temperature liquid. The injected water causes avapor explosion due to the heat transfer from high-temperature liquid.This vapor explosion with shock wave rapidly increases pressure in thevapor explosion chamber, thereby bringing up the explosion fluid,mixture of the high-temperature liquid and the vapor to the upperportion of the vapor explosion chamber. The center of a rotation blade1107 is fixed on the upper portion of the vapor explosion chamber by therotation axis 1106, and the rotation blades receives jet of theexplosion fluid, thereby acquiring rotative force. The explosion fluidrotates the rotation blades and passes through between the blades. Inthe upper space in the turbine body 1108, the high-temperature liquidhaving heavy specific weight goes to the lower portion, and the vaporhaving light specific weight goes to the upper portion, therebyseparating into the high-temperature liquid and the vapor. A net coverfor explosion fluid 1109, being placed on the rotation blade withappropriate clearance, receives a part of the high-temperature liquid inthe explosion fluid, thereby promoting the separation of the explosionfluid into the high-temperature liquid and the vapor. Thehigh-temperature liquid separated from the explosion fluid is collectedby a pool for circulating high-temperature liquid 1110, placed adjacentto the vapor explosion chamber, and the vapor separated from theexplosion fluid is exhausted from an exhaust 1111 connected to the upperportion of the turbine body. An inlet valve for high-temperature liquid1112 is placed in the wall between the vapor explosion chamber and thepool for circulating high-temperature liquid. This valve closes bypressure upon the vapor explosion, and is released in other times. Thehigh-temperature liquid in the pool for circulating high-temperatureliquid flows into the vapor explosion chamber through this valve, sothat the high-temperature liquid is refilled to the vapor explosionchamber because the high-temperature liquid has spattered outside by thevapor explosion and has become insufficient. Although it is necessaryfor driving the turbine to continuously cause the vapor explosion andshock wave, it requires time interval after the vapor explosion to takethe high-temperature liquid for next vapor explosion from the inletvalve for high-temperature liquid into the vapor explosion chamber, sothat appropriate time interval is required between the respective vaporexplosions. Therefore, the turbine device comprises the plurality ofvapor explosion and shock wave generating devices, which sequentiallygenerate vapor explosions and shock waves, thereby continuouslyproviding power to the rotation blade as a whole. A controller 1113controls a timing cam 1114 of each vapor explosion and shock wavegenerating device, thereby achieving the above purpose.

<Description of Components of Third Embodiment>

A turbine device of a seventh invention comprises the vapor explosionand shock wave generating device and the turbine. The ‘vapor explosionand shock wave generating device’ is the same as that of the firstinvention. The turbine device of a seventh invention may be single ormultiple.

The ‘turbine’ is a motor that is ‘driven by utilizing vapor explosionenergy and shock wave simultaneously generated by the vapor explosionand shock wave generating device’. Therefore, a motor, wherein pressureand motion energy of the explosion fluid generated by the vaporexplosion and shock wave is converted to rotary motion energy.Typically, it has a mechanism as in the turbine device of the thirdembodiment, wherein the rotation axis and the rotation blade areattached to the turbine body in a rotatable state.

A turbine device of an eighth invention is the same as that of theseventh invention, and comprises a plurality of vapor explosion andshock wave generating devices and the controller.

The ‘controller’ is for ‘controlling timing of intermittently injectingwater by the inlet valve unit of each vapor explosion and shock wavegenerating device’. As described above, it is preferable tointermittently inject water in the plurality of vapor explosion andshock wave generating devices, thereby sequentially generating vaporexplosions and shock waves. The controller performs control of actionsof the inlet valve units provided in the plurality of vapor explosionand shock wave generating devices to continuously generate the vaporexplosions and shock waves. This control may be carried out by rotarydrive of the timing cam using a motor controlled by a computer, or maybe carried out by electromagnetic control using electromagnetic valvefor the inlet valve unit. Moreover, the inlet valve unit of each vaporexplosion and shock wave generating device may sequentially open orclose by using a timing cam, which can rotate by mechanically delayingthe timing.

A turbine device of a ninth invention is the same as that of the eighthinvention, and further comprises a pool for circulating high-temperatureliquid and an inlet valve for high-temperature liquid.

The ‘pool for circulating high-temperature liquid’ is provided ‘aroundthe vapor explosion and shock wave generating device, and is ‘collectingthe spattered high-temperature liquid’. The pool for circulatinghigh-temperature liquid may have a heater for preventing temperaturedecrease of the high-temperature liquid after being collected.

The ‘inlet valve for high-temperature liquid’ is provided to the vaporexplosion and shock wave generating device, and ‘inlets thehigh-temperature liquid from the pool for circulating high-temperatureliquid’ to the vapor explosion and shock wave generating device. FIG. 12is a diagram showing action of an inlet valve for high-temperatureliquid. When the vapor explosion does not occur, as shown in FIG. 12(a), the inlet valve for high-temperature liquid opens, and inlets thehigh-temperature liquid from the pool for circulating high-temperatureliquid to the vapor explosion chamber. At this point, if the vaporexplosion occurs, as shown in FIG. 12( b), the inlet valve forhigh-temperature liquid receives the pressure of explosion fluid(indicated by arrow), and closes. In this case, the explosion fluid doesnot backflow to the pool for circulating high-temperature liquid throughthe inlet valve for high-temperature liquid, and the entire explosionfluid go to the rotation blade. Strength and size etc. of the inletvalve for high-temperature liquid is not limited and may be a matter ofdesign according to purpose of drive. However, the inlet valve forhigh-temperature liquid has to be provided with durability even whenrepeatedly receiving the explosion energy of the vapor explosion andshock wave. Moreover, the inlet valve for high-temperature liquid may bean automatically controlled pump, which can stably send a predeterminedamount of the high-temperature liquid from the pool for circulatinghigh-temperature liquid to the vapor explosion chamber. The above ispossible by using the conventional technology.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention relates to a basic technology concerning the vaporexplosion, and to an engine and a turbine that are driven by utilizingvapor explosion.

Moreover, in recent years, MHD electric power generation, which canefficiently produce electric power from electromagnetic fluid, attractsattention. In the vapor explosion generating device of the presentinvention, the MHD electric power generator is placed in the high-speedflowing path for the high-pressure liquid metal, high-pressure vapor,and the high-pressure shock wave, thereby enabling development of theMHD electric power generator by liquid metal by utilizing the vaporexplosion.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

0101 Liquid storage container

0102 High-temperature liquid

0103 Heater

0104 Inlet

0105 Pressure-proof valve

0106 Spring

0107 Timing cam

0108 Cover

0109 Exhaust

0110 Thermometer

1. A vapor explosion and shock wave generating device, comprising: avapor explosion chamber, comprising a liquid storage container forstoring high-temperature liquid at 300 degrees C. or higher, and aninlet for intermittently injecting water into the liquid storagecontainer from a bottom portion of the high-temperature liquid; a heaterfor maintaining the high-temperature liquid at 300 degrees C. or higher;and an inlet valve unit for controlling the water injection at theinlet.
 2. A motor, comprising: the vapor explosion and shock wavegenerating device according to claim 1; a piston that is driven byutilizing vapor explosion energy and shock wave simultaneously generatedby the vapor explosion and shock wave generating device; and a converterunit for converting piston motion into rotation motion.
 3. The motoraccording to claim 2, further comprising: a return path for holdingexplosion fluid, mixture of vapor and the high-temperature liquid afterpush-up of the piston.
 4. The motor according to claim 3, furthercomprising: a vapor exhaust for exhausting vapor separated from theexplosion fluid inflowing the return path.
 5. The motor according toclaim 4, further comprising: a return pump for returning thehigh-temperature liquid separated from the explosion fluid inflowing thereturn path into the explosion chamber, the return pump being located ina lower portion of the return path.
 6. The motor according to claim 5,wherein the piston comprises a piston valve that opens at top deadcenter upon colliding with an upper obstructing protrusion provided in acylinder and closes at bottom dead center upon colliding with a lowerobstructing protrusion provided in the cylinder or the liquid storagecontainer.
 7. A turbine device, comprising: the vapor explosion andshock wave generating device according to claim 1; and a turbine that isdriven by utilizing vapor explosion energy and shock wave simultaneouslygenerated by the vapor explosion and shock wave generating device. 8.The turbine device according to claim 7, comprising: the plurality ofthe vapor explosion and shock wave generating devices; and a controllerfor controlling timing of intermittently injecting water by the inletvalve unit of each vapor explosion and shock wave generating device. 9.The turbine device according to claim 8, comprising: a pool forcirculating high-temperature liquid for collecting the spatteredhigh-temperature liquid, the pool being provided around the vaporexplosion and shock wave generating device, wherein the vapor explosionand shock wave generating device comprises a inlet valve unit forinletting the high-temperature liquid from the pool for circulatinghigh-temperature liquid.